Honor Flight Bluegrass marks 82 years since Pearl Harbor attack

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thursday marked 82 years since the United States was pulled into World War II.

More than 2,400 Americans perished in Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, forever changing the course of history and the lives of many veterans in our area.

Honor Flight Bluegrass hosted an event Thursday to honor those who fought in the war. Thirteen WWII veterans came together to mark the occasion and share their stories.

"When I was 15, on Pearl Harbor Day, it was a warm day in Louisville and I was caddying at the Audubon Country Club and, of course, we didn't know what was going on at all until we got to the 18th hole and the members were running around like wild and finally, one of them told us about Pearl Harbor," said 97-year-old veteran Albert Benninger.

The event for veterans, their families and the community was held at the Zachary Taylor Post 180 American Legion in St. Matthews. Each year, Honor Flight Bluegrass takes veterans on trips to see the war memorials in Washington, D.C.

"It's such an honor to honor these World War II veterans that helped save the world 80 years ago, and they're varied in age from 86 to 101. It's just an incredible group of veterans," said Jeff Thoke, with Honor Flight Bluegrass.

The organization said there are only about 1,700 World War II veterans left in Kentucky, and only about 120,000 across the country.

The next Honor Flight Bluegrass trip will happen in the spring.